Registration of an NGO

PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF AN NGO

Procedure

1. Devise a plan

To start an NGO, write about your organization’s beliefs, mission, and purpose. Define your mission and draft the purpose statement. Also, describe the overall purpose of the NGO; the activities it will engage in or undertake; its core beliefs; etc.

2. Select a name for your Foundation

Depending on the goals of your NGO, pick out names (plus an alternate name in case the first is not available for reservation)

3. Appoint the Trustee(s)

A person qualified to be appointed a Trustee must not be less than 18 years of age; or of unsound mind; or undischarged bankrupt; or convicted of an offense involving fraud or dishonesty within 5 years of his proposed appointment.

4. Consult an Accredited Solicitor

To start an NGO,consult a solicitor who has been duly accredited by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to conduct pre and post incorporation matters with the Commission to help you execute the following:

Name Availability Search and Reservation

Solicitor will conduct a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registry to check if the NGO name chosen is available for reservation. Only a name that is not identical to an existing registered organization in Nigeria can be reserved. Where the name is available, same will be approved for registration. Name availability check and reservation can be effected within 48 hours by a CAC accredited Solicitor.

Publication of Notices

The Solicitor, in compliance with the law, will publish in three (3) national dailies-one being a local newspaper widely circulated in the area where your NGO is based, on a notification of intention to register the NGO, setting out the name of the NGO; the names of trustees, aims and objectives; and a call for objections within 28 days to the registration of the NGO (if any)

Drafting of the NGO Constitution

The NGO’s constitution drafted by the Solicitor will set out rules that would govern the internal affairs of the NGO, the aims, and objectives of the NGO, the governance structure, names of members of the Board of Trustees, the statement of purpose, etc.

Drafting of the Minutes of the Meeting

The solicitor will draft the minute of meeting that will provide details whereat members of the Board of Trustees were appointed, list of members presents and absent, the voting pattern, and the authorization to apply for registration, signed by Chairman and Secretary of the Board.

Documentation of all incorporation documents

The solicitor will put together all incorporation documents including the duly completed application form in triplicate, letter of application, the original of newspaper publications, copies of the NGO constitution so drafted, the above minutes of the meetings, passport-sized photographs of the Trustees, the impression of the common seal of the NGO, etc.

Submission and Filing

Solicitor will file all the relevant documents with the Corporate Affairs Commission for the incorporation of the NGO.

Collection of the NGO Certificate of Incorporation

The Certificate of Incorporation of the NGO will be issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission to you through your CAC Accredited Solicitor after due documentation and filings.

Open a Bank Account in the NGO Name

This is very important because opening a bank account in the NGO’s name shows the NGO is official and you are ready to receive financial support and donations from the public. To open a bank account, you will need the Certificate of Incorporation of the NGO issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission.